Why Did United Airlines Meet Accident Everytime, Highlighting Growing Safety Concerns Amid Recent Near Miss Incidents?

Pōʻakahi, ʻApelila 14, 2025

Why did United Airlines meet an accident every time? The United Airlines recent collision with a kite at Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport highlights growing safety concerns within the aviation industry. This incident, occurring in a busy flight path, is just the latest in a series of alarming near-miss incidents involving United Airlines, raising serious questions about air traffic management, safety protocols, and the risks posed by congested urban airspace. With the airline’s frequent encounters with hazardous situations, the recurring safety issues point to broader concerns about the effectiveness of airspace regulations, especially in metropolitan areas like Washington D.C. As the number of near-misses increases, so too does the urgency to address these flight path risks. This latest event only serves to emphasize the need for immediate action to improve safety measures and prevent further incidents from occurring, as the industry faces rising pressure to safeguard passengers and crews alike.

No nā nūhou huakaʻi hou loa, nā mea hou huakaʻi a me nā ʻaelike huakaʻi, nā nūhou mokulele, nā nūhou holo moana, nā ʻenehana hou, nā māka huakaʻi, nā hōʻike o ka wā, nā ʻike insider, nā nīnauele kūʻokoʻa, e kākau inoa i kēlā me kēia lā Nūpepa TTW.

On Saturday afternoon, a United Airlines flight, Flight 654 from Houston, struck a kite while attempting to land at Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport (DCA). This unexpected incident occurred just months after a deadly crash at the same airport, which killed 67 people. The kite collision is the latest in a series of alarming events in one of the most heavily trafficked flight paths in the United States. This close encounter has heightened concerns about airspace safety, air traffic control effectiveness, and the increasing risks faced by aircraft operating in crowded metropolitan areas.

The kite was observed at around 100 feet above the ground, directly in the flight path of United Flight 654. This incident adds to a growing list of near-misses and collisions in the area, raising questions about how airports, air traffic controllers, and regulatory authorities are managing safety in such a critical airspace. In light of this recent event, the aviation industry must consider the larger implications for aviation safety and how to mitigate such risks moving forward.

The Incident: United Airlines Flight 654 and the Kite Collision

The United Airlines flight, which was en route from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, was making its final approach into Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport when the aircraft collided with a kite over Gravelly Point Park, a popular recreational area just north of the airport, along the Potomac River. The pilot of the aircraft communicated with air traffic control, describing the kite’s position as about 100 feet above the ground, right in the flight path of the descending plane. The pilot’s exchange with air traffic control was captured on LiveATC.net, where he mentioned that the kite appeared to be “right on the flight deck” and that the kite’s location was “a little bit low.”

This communication paints a picture of a highly precarious situation. With flight paths often operating at extremely low altitudes, any foreign object in the air, such as a kite, poses a significant risk to aircraft safety. The pilot’s reaction further emphasized the proximity of the kite to the flight deck, which suggests that the aircraft was in the final stages of its descent when the collision occurred. Thankfully, the event did not result in any injuries, but it nonetheless raised serious concerns about the safety of flight operations at this high-traffic airport.

Dylan Oakes, a former flight attendant and producer at WUSA9, was present at Gravelly Point when the incident occurred. Oakes described observing the kite from his vantage point, noting that it appeared “higher than it should be” but initially attributed it to perspective. However, as the United flight approached, it became clear that the kite was directly in the path of the plane, leading to the collision. The striking visual of an aircraft making contact with a kite has amplified public concerns about safety and the need for more robust airspace management in urban areas.

The Growing Threat of Airspace Risks in Washington D.C.

This kite collision at Reagan National Airport is not an isolated incident. In the days leading up to the event, D.C. experienced another close call involving Delta Air Lines. On Friday, a Delta flight departing from DCA came within a few hundred feet of two U.S. Air Force Northrop T38 Talon trainer jets arriving for a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery. While no collision occurred, the near-miss underscores the growing risks associated with the dense airspace around the nation’s capital. The proximity of military aircraft, commercial airliners, and recreational flying activities all contribute to the increasing complexity of air traffic management.

Additionally, this follows the tragic crash in January 2025, when an American Airlines flight collided with an Army Blackhawk helicopter flying too high over the airport. This collision, which killed all those aboard both the airplane and the helicopter, was the deadliest U.S. air disaster in more than two decades. The growing frequency of such incidents in the region has put pressure on aviation authorities to re-evaluate their safety protocols and implement measures to reduce the likelihood of such events in the future.

The FAA and local authorities have been criticized for not doing enough to regulate flight paths near the heavily congested Reagan National Airport. With air traffic congestion at an all-time high, coupled with an increasing number of non-commercial flight activities (such as drone operations, recreational flying, and military maneuvers), safety in the area has become a matter of great concern.

Addressing Airspace Management Challenges

The collision between the United Airlines flight and the kite is indicative of broader issues in airspace management, particularly in metropolitan areas like Washington D.C. As one of the busiest airports in the U.S., Reagan National Airport operates in one of the most complex and congested airspace environments. The proximity of the airport to the heart of the nation’s capital makes it particularly vulnerable to such incidents. With the increasing popularity of drone flying, as well as the continued popularity of kites and other airborne recreational activities, the need for more robust airspace management has never been more urgent.

In response to recent incidents, aviation experts and air traffic controllers are calling for improved coordination between federal and local aviation authorities to better monitor and regulate airspace usage. One potential solution is the introduction of more advanced surveillance technologies that can detect and track non-commercial aircraft, including kites, drones, and recreational aircraft, in real-time. This would provide air traffic controllers with an enhanced ability to mitigate risks posed by such objects.

Furthermore, stricter regulations on airspace near airports should be considered to prevent recreational flying in controlled zones. Gravelly Point Park, where the kite was launched, is located within a few miles of the airport and is a popular destination for people watching aircraft take off and land. While such activities are a common part of urban life, they could pose a serious risk to aviation safety if not carefully managed.

The Aviation Industry’s Responsibility Moving Forward

The aviation industry must take immediate action to address the risks posed by increasingly crowded and complex airspace systems, especially near major airports like Washington D.C.’s Reagan National. With the frequency of near-miss incidents on the rise, the industry must look toward a more proactive approach to ensuring safe and efficient flight operations. This includes developing better systems for tracking and managing non-commercial flight activities and implementing tighter regulations for recreational aviation near airports.

The tragic collision involving American Airlines in January 2025 serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of poor airspace management. The incident not only devastated the families of the victims but also highlighted the vulnerability of the aviation industry to risks that arise from outside of commercial aviation operations. As more people engage in recreational flying and as the use of drones continues to increase, the industry must evolve to meet the challenges of modern airspace management.

The kite collision at Reagan National Airport involving United Airlines Flight 654 underscores the growing concerns regarding airspace safety in heavily congested flight paths. This incident, along with other recent near-misses and the deadly American Airlines crash in January, highlights the need for improved airspace management and stricter regulations to protect both commercial and non-commercial aviation operations. As the aviation industry faces the challenge of balancing increasing air traffic with safety, it is clear that more must be done to mitigate the risks of such incidents and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The kite collision is a warning that cannot be ignored, as it points to the urgent need for more comprehensive solutions in the face of an evolving and increasingly risky aviation environment.